THE MESSENGER SENDS A MESSAGE TO THE FLYWEIGHTS

The 2008 Olympic Gold Medalist in freestyle wrestling; HENRY CEJUDO has sent a clear message to all others in the flyweight division. The story line of message sending played out a lot during UFC 218 in Detroit’s Little Caesar’s Arena. Since his back to back loses to DJ and BENAVIDES; Cejudo has refocused his energies and has looked crisp. He struck well on this night again and took the younger SERGIO PETTIS into the wrestling abyss. They briefly got into a kicking exchange then threw hands again. Henry worked his magic on the mat in top and side controls gaining Sergio’s back as well and landing hammer fists. 7 of Henry’s wins now come via decision; this one easily being a unanimous one; despite the crowd not being pleased with a lack “of a finish” but winning ugly is still a win.

JUSTIN GAETHJE has made a career out of walking guys down, staying in the pocket, and getting into slugfests. This one vs EDDIE ALVAREZ had all the signs of that outcome as well. Eddie though didn’t wanna “wrestle the wrestler” or “bang with a bomber”. Instead he paced himself well…. at times. While the pair exchanged kicks and strikes multiple times; Alvarez moved from side to side and ripped Justin to the body gassing him slowly, then going upstairs. Eddie did get caught early on the right side of his face apparently cracking his jaw. He was also assaulted by Justin’s leg kicks that wobbled “THE UNDERGROUND KING” a couple of times. Between strikes, kicks, elbows, and knees the significant strikes meter rang like a christmas bell. Eddie opened Justin’s nose and right eye, then landed a knee down the middle to Justin’s jaw crumbling him for the KO at 3:59 of round 3 with referee HERB DEAN jumping in to stop the fight.

Both MICHELLE WATERSON‘s and TECIA TORRES‘s last losses came at the hands of the new strawweight champ ROSE NAMAJUNAS. Tecia’s strikes quickly opened a cut under the right eye of Michelle which continued to bother her throughout the fight; eventually almost swelling her left one shut. In the clinch Torres continued to land knees and elbows, and getting the better of the exchanges. She eventually pushed the action to the cage where her right hand became like a piston. Michelle got a sweet leg trip takedown but it was Tecia attempting kimura’s and triangles from the bottom. With Waterson breathing heavily Tecia got her back almost flattened her out as she landed GNP. All 3 judges easily had it for Torres.

PAUL FELDER used lefts and elbows to comeback from the brink of going to sleep from a D’Arce choke from CHARLES OLIVEIRA. Then finishing Charles for good measure with GNP including 2 shots after Oliveira “tapped”. Paul’s now on a 3 fight win streak 10 via TKO/KO; this one at 4:06 into round 2. For 2 1/2 rounds “COWBOY” ALEX OLIVEIRA and YANCY MEDEIROS pulled their inner Gaethje & Alvarez; absolutely rocking and bloodying each other. Yancy picked up an amazing comeback TKO 2:02 of round 3. DAVID TEYMUR picked up his 7th win in a row; this one a unanimous decision over DRAKKAR KLOSE. FELICE HERRIG and COURTNEY CASEY stayed in front of each other, kinda throwing hands….. at times. Casey looked absolutely shocked when she heard Felice picked up a split decision win.

AMANDA COOPER TKO’d ANGELA MAGANA 4:34 into round 2. ABDUL ALHASSAN won a controversial TKO at 4:21 of round 1 over SABAH HOMASI. It goes in the books as his 8th win all in the 1st round by KO/TKO. Due to the bad called stoppage it was immediately re-booked for UFC 219 later this month. DOMINICK REYES stayed perfect going to 8-0, 7 1st round finishes; including his 5th straight and his 4th under a minute. The RNC submission over GRIZZLY JEREMY KIMBALL came at 3:39 in round 1. JUSTIN WILLIS got his 6th straight win. This one coming via KO punches at 2:33 into the fight against DWTCS fighter ALLEN CROWDER; ending his 4 fight win streak.